Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed concerns during a press conference about the Biden administration's energy policies. He criticized the administration for imposing sanctions on American energy and mineral production, which he believes jeopardizes national security. The press conference was held ahead of an expected announcement from the Biden administration regarding restrictions on resource development in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve and Ambler Mining District.

Senator Sullivan was accompanied by several other Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, John Barrasso of Wyoming, John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Ted Cruz of Texas, John Hoeven of North Dakota, and Jerry Moran of Kansas.

“This administration is deliberately undertaking policies to punish Americans and undermine our strengths while continuing to help our adversaries,” stated Sen. Sullivan. He further claimed that the administration plans to "undermine America's national security interests even further by announcing the shutdown" of significant energy and mineral developments in Alaska.

Senator Sullivan argued that the actions taken by the current administration send a message to countries like Iran, China, and Russia that they can continue using their resources to strengthen themselves while America does not utilize its own. He accused President Joe Biden of being more concerned with satisfying "far-left radicals" than with U.S. national security.

The senator emphasized that these policy decisions would have detrimental effects on Alaskans' jobs and economy, particularly impacting Alaska Native communities. He concluded his remarks by asserting that these actions would weaken America's position globally while benefiting authoritarian regimes.